Climbing Machine

ABSTRACT

A climbing machine for exercise of a first and second user may include a base member to support the climbing machine, a first and second side frame member which is substantially vertical and connected to the base member, a hoist member for cooperating with the first and second side frame member, a rack member to be moved by the hoist member, and a guide member to guide the rack member. The rack member may include a first and second pump member to independently move the rack member and hoist member. The climbing machine may include a top frame member which is connected to the guide member and the side frame member, and the rack member may be substantially U-shaped. The rack member may include a third pump member to independently moves the hoist member, and the rack member may include a fourth pump member to independently move the hoist member. The first pump member and the third pump member may include a hand bar member, and the second pump member and the fourth pump member may include a stepping bar member.

PRIORITY

The present invention claims priority based on 35 USC section 119 and based on a provisional application with a Ser. No. 60/916,711 which was filed on May 8, 2007.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to exercise machines and more particularly to a climbing machine.

BACKGROUND

Over the years, an increasing number of people have taken jobs in offices across the country. These types of jobs unfortunately do not provide sufficient exercise in order to stay physically fit. In order to fulfill this need, an increasing number of people have taken to planned exercise during recreational hours. These people wish to maximize the amount of exercise that can be achieved within a limited time. In contradistinction, because of the large number of muscles within the body, achieving exercise for all these various muscles requires a large amount of time. Prior machines are generally limited only to provide a workout to one particular area of the body and then another area of the body which requires lengthy workout times. These users are required to spend a considerable time operating the machines before any real cardiovascular benefit is achieved by the users of the machines. Furthermore, the prior art machines have not risen to the level of becoming a recreational activity on their own merit. The prior art machines are not conductive to being grouped together to create a conductive activity. The prior art machines are very limiting in allowing a person to achieve full fluid body movement.

SUMMARY

A climbing machine for exercise of a first and second user may include a base member to support the climbing machine, a first and second side frame member which is substantially vertical and connected to the base member, a hoist member for cooperating with the first and second side frame member, a rack member to be moved by the hoist member, and a guide member to guide the rack member.

The rack member may include a first and second pump member to independently move the rack member and hoist member.

The climbing machine may include a top frame member which is connected to the guide member and the side frame member, and the rack member may be substantially U-shaped.

The rack member may include a third pump member to independently moves the hoist member, and the rack member may include a fourth pump member to independently move the hoist member.

The first pump member and the third pump member may include a hand bar member, and the second pump member and the fourth pump member may include a stepping bar member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention may be understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which, like reference numerals identify like elements, and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates the climbing machine of the present invention at a first position;

FIG. 2 illustrates the climbing machine of the present invention at a second position;

FIG. 3 illustrates the adjustment of the height of the pumping station;

FIG. 4 illustrates a portion of the fluid lines where the pumping station.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The exercise machine of the present invention is generally preferable over all of the prior art machines for the following reasons.

The exercise machine 100 of the present invention provides a thorough workout for the entire body including the cardiovascular system, balance and even the mind. The exercise machine of the present invention can be used with infinite combinations of rheumatic movements to reach the top of the exercise machine. The exercise machine of the present invention is a fully dynamic machine, allowing for your rhythmic movement and motion. The exercise machine of the present invention provides multiple rewards when the goal is achieved for example by reaching the top of the exercise machine, and these rewards include a combination of bells and lights. The exercise machine of the present invention provides for fully independent movements of all the limbs as well as the midsection of the body. The climbing machine of the present invention can be adjusted to increase the amount of exercise necessary to reach the top of the climbing machine by introducing bleed into the system. The climbing machine is bled of fluid slowly so that the user of the climbing machine must add pressure to the fluid in order to compensate for the loss and add pressure to move the climbing machine upwards. By way of comparison, this is similar to running up an escalator that is traveling downwards. The climbing machine punishes resting by requiring the user of the climbing machine to make up the distance lost going the rest. The net effect is more effort to get to the top. By introducing bleed, a user with a slow cadence would be prevented from ever reaching the top.

The exercise machine of the present invention allows different parts of the upper body to be exercise depending on where the height is adjusted. For example, with a high adjustment the arms longer muscles would be exercised. With the lower adjustment, the exercise would be equivalent to doing upper body squats.

The present invention allows for recognition of the work accomplished because everyone can see that the user of the exercise equipment of the present invention has made it to the top of the climbing machine.

The exercise machine of the present invention can be scaled for smaller ceiling heights and still retain the degree of difficulty by using bleeders.

In as little as five minutes, a full and complete workout including a cardiovascular workout can be achieved with the climbing machine of the present invention. The exercise machine of the present invention provides for full independent movement of all body parts as in swimming in water.

FIG. 1 illustrates the climbing machine 100 of the present invention. The climbing machine 100 includes a base member 135 to support the climbing machine 100 and includes a first and second side frame members 119 having a bottom end which is connected to the base member 135 to provide support for the climbing machine 100. The side frame member 119 is substantially vertical and substantially rigid. The top end of the first and second side frame members 119 are connected to a top frame member 131 which extends substantially horizontally and between the first and second side frame member 119. The side frame member 119 cooperates with a hoist member 117 which travels along the side frame member 119 in response to pressurize fluid from one of the first pump member 101, the second pump member 103, the third pump member 105 or the fourth pump member 107.

FIG. 1 illustrates the climbing machine 100 includes a first and second guide member 115 which is positioned between the first and second side frame members 119 and extends from the base member 135 to the top frame member 131. FIG. 1 additionally illustrates a U-shaped rack member 141 to support the users of the climbing machine 100. The U-shaped rack member 141 includes a first and second arm 143 which cooperates with the guide member 115 and travels along the guide member 115. The U-shaped rack member 141 additionally includes a base member 145 which extends between the first and second arm 143. The first arm member 143 is connected to a first pump station 101 and a third pump station 105, each of which can provide sufficient fluid pressure to raise the first and second hoist member 117 which is coupled to the U-shaped rack member 114 and consequently the first and second hoist member 117 raises and lowers the U-shaped rack member 141. The second arm member 143 is connected to the second pump station 103 and the fourth pump station 107, each of which can provide sufficient fluid pressure raise the first and second hoist member 117 which raises and lowers the U-shaped rack member 141. The base member 145 of the U-shaped rack 141 is sufficiently wide to carry to users for example one user on the left and one user on the right. The user on the left can activate the first pump member 101 by the first-hand bar member 111 by the hand of the user and can activate the third pump member 105 by the first stepping bar member 109 by the foot of the user.

Furthermore, the user on the right can activate the second pump 103 by the first-hand bar member 112 by the hand of the user and can activate the fourth pump member 107 by the second stepping bar member 110 by the foot of the user.

FIG. 1 additionally illustrates a limit switch 133 which is positioned on the guide member 115 and which when activated indicates that the U-shaped rack member 141 has reached the top of the climbing machine 100, and the climbing machine 100 activates alarms 137 which may include lights and sounds to add to the excitement of the users.

FIG. 1 additionally illustrates a safety harness 151 to be attached to each user. Furthermore FIG. 1 illustrates a release member 113 at the end of the first-hand bar member 111 and the second hand bar member 112 so that the fluid pressure can be released and the U-shaped member 141 can be lowered.

FIG. 1 illustrates that the U-shaped member 141 is substantially at ground level.

FIG. 2 illustrates that the U-shaped member 141 has been raised to substantially the top of the climbing machine 100.

FIG. 3 illustrates the first stepping bar member 109 and the third pump member 105 and illustrates that the first-hand bar member of the 111 and the first pump member 101 has been lowered from a first position to a second lower position in order to accommodate users of different heights or to exercise different muscles. One way to achieve the flexibility is to attach the first-hand bar member 111 by a bolt and have a series of holes at different heights to cooperate with the bolt. The same height adjustments can be made with the second pump member 103.

FIG. 4 illustrates that an equalized fluid pressure is maintained between each of the pump members 101, 103, 105 and 107 (only pump member 101 and pump member 103 are shown for example) by the use of fluid tees 451 so that any user can activate any pump member 101, 103, 105 and 107 and increase the pressure of the fluid and consequently raised the U-shaped rack 141. The fluid could be air or hydraulic or other appropriate material.

While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the description herein of specific embodiments is not intended to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed. 

1. A climbing machine for exercise of a first and second user, comprising: a base member to support the climbing machine; a first and second side frame member which is substantially vertical and connected to the base member; a hoist member for cooperating with the first and second side frame member; a rack member to be moved by the hoist member; a guide member to guide the rack member; wherein the rack member includes a first and second pump member to independently move the rack member and hoist member.
 2. A climbing machine for exercise of a first and second user as in claim 1, wherein the climbing machine includes a top frame member which is connected to the guide member and the side frame member.
 3. A climbing machine for exercise of a first and second user as in claim 1, wherein the rack member is substantially U-shaped.
 4. A climbing machine for exercise of a first and second user as in claim 1, wherein the rack member includes a third pump member to independently moves the hoist member
 5. A climbing machine for exercise of a first and second user as in claim 4, wherein the rack member includes a fourth pump member to independently move the hoist member.
 6. A climbing machine for exercise of a first and second user as in claim 5, wherein the first pump member and the third pump member includes a hand bar member.
 7. A climbing machine for exercise of a first and second user as in claim 5, wherein the second pump member and the fourth pump member includes a stepping bar member. 